Prevalence of Intestinal Helminth Infections and Comparative Therapeutic Efficacy of Albendazole among HIV-Infected Children in Numan General Hospital and Mayo Belwa General Hospital, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Intestinal helminth infections and paediatric HIV remain major public health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Their coexistence may worsen immune suppression and disease progression, yet comparative evidence from north-eastern Nigeria is limited. To determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth infections and assess the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole among HIV-infected children attending Numan General Hospital and Mayo Belwa General Hospital, Adamawa State, Nigeria. A hospital-based longitudinal interventional study was conducted among 132 HIV-infected children aged 5–18 years, with 66 recruited from each facility. Stool samples were examined using the Kato-Katz technique for helminth detection and quantification. Infected children who consented received a single 400-mg dose of albendazole and were reassessed after three months. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression at p<0.05. Overall helminth prevalence was 47.0% (62/132), significantly higher at Numan (59.1%, 39/66) than Mayo Belwa (34.8%, 23/66) (χ²=7.72, p=0.005). Trichuris trichiura was predominant (48.4%), followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (29.0%) and Hymenolepis nana (22.6%); moderate-intensity infections predominated (69.4%). 62 infected children and 41 received treatment. Overall parasitological clearance was 58.5% (24/41), with higher clearance at Numan (66.7%) than Mayo Belwa (47.1%). Independent predictors of infection included maternal and paternal occupations. Intestinal helminth infection was common among HIV-infected children, with significantly higher prevalence at Numan General Hospital. Albendazole demonstrated moderate therapeutic efficacy, with higher clearance at Numan. Routine deworming should be integrated into paediatric HIV care programmes to reduce helminth burden and improve health outcomes among HIV-infected children.